McCain temper a concern during Keating Five

First of all, John McCain can’t like the fact that a major newspaper has aired a Keating Five story. This one, though, has some different angles which cast other doubts on his leadership, besides probity questions.

For example, an old friend and political consultant, Jay Smith, urged him in early 1989 to have a “come-to-Jesus” press conference, air everything and repent.

But his press secretary, Victoria Clarke, had this to say to Smith:

“I don't think he can pull it off. I think he will lose his temper.”

Michael Leahy goes on to note, in a five-page story, that the John McCain we know today — good, bad and ugly — all was forged in the Keating and post-Keating crucible.

Read the full story for McCain’s split-the-diff temper-free presser and more.

Basically, McCain engaged in a huge case of logorrhea and got away with it.

Essentially, both the myth of the Straight Talk Express and the realigty of the Schmuck Talk Express™ were born at the same time.